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attitude, soon afterwards closed his eyes with his own hands, and yielded up his spirit without a struggle.

As no pencil has been able correctly to delineate the impressive dignity of his countenance; nor any chisel, the majestic figure of his person; so no pen can fully concentrate the transcendent qualities of his mind, or the amiable dispositions of his heart. The history of his country is his best eulogium; his most faithful monument, the love and admiration of the world.

The same Providence which guided the affairs of the revolution, and, in the agency of Washington, raised man almost above his accustomed rank in the creation, withdrew his favourite production, when human talent or human virtue was no longer sufficient to preserve the tranquillity or retain the veneration of his country. The pages of futurity, if then unfolded, would have reversed the deep sensations of regret, by changing into thankfulness the unequalled feelings caused by a departure, at an age that promised many years of happiness to himself and benefit to his country.

The mind of the great Washington was not more solicitous for the welfare of the nation than for the comfort of the poor. His charities, whilst given with a discerning, were diffused with an unsparing, hand. On each of his plantations, a corn house was every year filled solely for their use; on one of his best fishing shores he kept, in complete order for them, a boat and net; and men ready to help those who were themselves too weak to haul the seine and so feelingly attentive was he to any poor persons who wished to speak to him, that he had a room set apart for them; and, though in company with the most distinguished characters, he instantly begged a few moments' absence, and attended the distressed.

General Washington had never any offspring. In his twenty-seventh year, he had married Mrs Custis, a lady, who, to a handsome person and large fortune, added every accomplishment that contributes to the felicity of the connubial state. To Mrs Washington, his domestic partner for forty years, he bequeathed, during her life, Mount Vernon and a considerable share of his extensive lands, which, on her decease, were to become the property of his nephew, Bushrod Washington. To his brother Charles, he left only a memorial of his affection, in consideration of the

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ample provision made by him for his children. Washington's grandchildren were remembered as his own; every branch of his numerous relations, and many charitable institutions, experienced the liberality of his heart. He directed that his negroes should be emancipated after Mrs Washington's decease, lamenting that impediments insurmountable had prevented his liberating them before; he provided for the support and education of the young on his plantations, and for the maintenance of the old and infirm.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST.

EARLY RISING.

How foolish they who lengthen night,
And slumber in the morning light!
How sweet at early morning's rise,
To view the glories of the skies,
And mark, with curious eye, the sun
Prepare his radiant course to run!
Its fairest form then nature wears,
And clad in brightest green appears.
The sprightly lark, with artless lay,
Proclaims the entrance of the day.

How sweet to breathe the gale's perfume,
And feast the eye with nature's bloom;
Along the dewy lawn to rove,
And hear the music of the grove!
Nor you, ye delicate and fair,
Neglect to taste the morning air;
This will your nerves with vigour brace,
Improve and heighten every grace;
Add to your breath a rich perfume;
And to your cheeks a fairer bloom:
With lustre teach your eyes to glow,
And health and cheerfulness bestow.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-
SECOND.

COMPASSION AND FORGIVENESS.

I hear the voice of wo;

A brother mortal mourns:

My eyes with tears for tears o'erflow;
My heart his sighs returns.

I hear the thirsty cry,

The famished beg for bread;
O let my spring its streams supply;
My hand its bounty shed.

And shall not wrath relent,
Touched by that humble strain,
My brother crying, "I repent,
Nor will offend again!"

How else, on sprightly wing,

Can hope bear high my prayer,

Up to thy throne, my God, my King,
To plead for pardon there?

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-THIRD.

THE BEARS OF MISSOURI.

To render the purchase of Louisiana of the utmost benefit, as well as to extend the field of natural science, Messrs Lewis and Clerke, both officers of the regular army, were sent by the president, Mr Jefferson, with instructions drawn up by himself, to explore the River Missouri and the contiguous countries, and discover the best communication with the Pacific Ocean. Never was an arduous enterprise accomplished with more ability and prudence. Accompanied by thirty-five persons, mostly soldiers, they embarked at St Louis, in suitable boats, in May, 1804, and ascended the Missouri to its stupendous falls, a distance of three thousand miles; thence crossed the Rocky Moun

tains, impeded by the everlasting snows, and descended various streams, until, after travelling four hundred miles, they reached the navigable waters of the Columbia; and, following its course six hundred and forty miles, were recompensed for all their toils and privations by a view of the Pacific. They reached St Louis, on their return in September, 1806, after an absence from all civilisation of more than twenty-seven months. The journey from St Louis was above four thousand miles; in returning thirtyfive hundred; making in the whole seven thousand five hundred miles. Only one of their party, of a sickly constitution, had died. Amongst all the Indian nations through which they passed, they were only once incommoded by a skirmish, in defending a rifle.

Their most dangerous enemies were the bears. These are described as most formidable animals, and frequently assailed them. One evening, the men discovered a large brown bear lying on the open ground, about three hundred paces from the river. Six good hunters immediately went to attack him, and concealing themselves by a small eminence, approached within forty yards. Four of their number now fired, and each lodged a ball in his body-two of them directly through his lungs.

The furious beast sprang up, and ran at them with open mouth. As he came near, the two hunters who had reserved their fire, gave him two wounds; one of which, having broken his shoulder, retarded his motion for an instant: but, before they could reload, he was so close, that the whole party were compelled to run towards the river, and before they reached it, he had almost overtaken them.

Two jumped into the canoe; the remaining four separated, and, hiding amongst the willows, fired as fast as they could reload. They struck him several times, but, instead of weakening the animal, or causing him to retreat, each shot seemed to invigorate him, and direct him towards the hunters: till at length he pursued two of them so closely, that they threw aside their guns and pouches, and jumped down a perpendicular bank, twenty feet, into the river. The bear sprang after them, and was within a few feet of the hindmost, when one of the hunters on shore shot him through the head and killed him.

Captain Lewis himself was exposed to a similar peril. Having shot a buffalo, one of at least a thousand which

formed a herd, before he could reload, he was chased by a huge bear for three hundred yards; when, plunging into the river, and presenting his spear, the animal was deterred; and, wheeling about, retreated in as much haste as he had pursued.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY

FOURTH.

BARON DE KALB.

Among the enthusiastic foreigners who generously espoused our cause (says an American writer), and at an early period of the revolution resorted to our army, I will name some whose meritorious services entitle them to the grateful recollection of the present and future generations.

Baron de Kalb was by birth a German. He had attained a high reputation in military service, and was a Knight of the order of Merit, and a brigadier-general in the armies of France. He accompanied the Marquis de la Fayette to this country, and having proffered his services to Congress, he was, in September, 1777, appointed to the office of major-general. In the summer of 1780, he was second in command in our southern army, under Major-General Gates. When arrangements were making for the battle of Camden, which proved so disastrous to our arms, in August, 1780, this heroic officer, it was said, cautioned General Gates against a general action under present circumstances. But that unfortunate commander was heard to say, that "Lord Cornwallis would not dare to look him in the face." And in the evening preceding the battle, an officer, in the presence of General Gates, said, "I wonder where we shall dine to-morrow?"-" Dine, sir !" replied the confident general, "why, at Camden, to be sure. I would not give a pinch of snuff, sir, to be insured a beefsteak to-morrow in Camden, and Lord Cornwallis at my table." Baron de Kalb was decidedly opposed to the proceedings of General Gates, and frequently foretold the ruin that would ensue, and expressed a presentiment that it would be his fate to fall in that battle. In a council of war, while the enemy was approaching, the baron advised that the army should fall back and take a good position, and wait to be attacked;

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